Rotary selective label printing machine



16, 1954 E. A. JACOBSON 2,694,361

ROTARY SELECTIVE LABEL PRINTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 6, 1951 7 S heefLS-Sheet 1 Earl A. Jacobson INVENTOR.

Nov. '16, 1954 E. A. JACOBSON 2,694,351

ROTARY SELECTIVE LABEL PRINTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 6, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 2

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Nov. 16, 1954 E. A JACOBSON ROTARY SELECTIVE LABEL -PRINTING 'MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 6, 1951 PE TELL-ALL- TAPE'7'ELL-ALL-7Zl PORK GHOPS' Earl A. Jacobson oar. I950 INVENTOR.

Nov. 16, 1954 E. A. JACOBSON 2,694,361

ROTARY SELECTIVE LABEL PRINTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 6, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Earl A. Ja cobmn INVENTOR.

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This invention relates to new in tape machines and the primary object of the present invention is to provide a machine for printing indicia on tape to indicate the type of article to be packaged, a locker number and a date.-

Another object of the presentinvention is to provide a and useful improvements tape machine including a gang of rollers that is selectively actuated to for printing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tape machine of the aforementioned character involving novel and improved operating and adjusting mechanisms for the gang of rollers whereby aselected roller may be manually rotated to cause one of a series of printing bands thereon to press against a tape.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tape machine whereby strips of tape will be printed with indicia to indicate a type of meat, cheese, fowl, vegetable or the like, and the tape will also be printed with indicia to indicate a locker number and date similar to that disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial Number 123,811, filed October 27, 1-949, now U. S. Patout No. 2,664,817.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a tape machine including an indicating mechanism correlated with the various printing rollers whereby the se ected roller and the selected printing band thereon will be clearly indicated to an operator.

A still further aim of the present invention is to provide a tape machine that is simple and practical in operation and construction, and which is so constructed as to permit sections of printed tape to be cut for ready use.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, references being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the tape machine em bodying the features of the present invention;-

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the tape machine of this invention taken substantially on the plane of section line 2-2 of Figure 3;

Figure 3 and showing the printing rollers and indicating mechanism is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane of section line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view of the machine taken substantially on the plane of section line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of the machine taken substantially on the plane of section line 5-5 of Figure 2, and showing the arrangement of printing rollers;

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a detail taken substantially on the plane of section line 6-6 of Figure 2 and showing the driving connection between the printing rollers control shaft and the indicator roller shaft;

Figure 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane of section line 7-7 of Figure 2 and showing the main printing roller shaft in one position;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 but showing the operating roller positioned in its holding slot;-

Figure 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken substan tially on the plane of section line 9-9 of Figure 7 and showing the printing roller control knob in operating position; p

Figure 10 is a horizontal sectional view taken substanbring one of the rollers into position 2 tially on the plane of section line 10-10 of Figure 8 and showing the control knob in inoperative position;

Figure 11' is afragmentary plane view of one of the hanger arms for operating roller;

Figure 12 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially on the plane of section line 12-12 of Fig ure 3';

Figure 13 is an enlarged end view of one of the print-'- ing rollers used in the present invention;

Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary plan View of one of the printing rollers used in the present invention;

Figure 15 is aplan view of the indicia bearing sheet before it is wrapped about its supporting roller;

Figure 16 is' an enlarged vertical sectional view taken subsiantially on the plane of section line 16-16 of Fig ure Figure 17 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane of section line 17-17 of- Figure 4,;

Figure 18 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane of section line 18-18 of Figure 4;

v Figure 19 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing the tape printing. rollers;-

Figure 20 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane of section line 20-20 of Figure 4 and showing the carriage for the tape cutter and part of the printing mechanism;

Figure 21 is an enlarged plan view of the cutter and the tape guide;

Figure 22 is a plan view of the dating mechanism used in the present invention;

Figure 23 is aplan view of the locker number recording mechanism used on the present invention;

Figure 24 is an end view of Figure 22;

Figure 25 isan enlarged vertical sectional view of the tape cutter taken substantially on the plane of section line 25-25 of Figure 4'.

Figure 26 is a sectional view of the locker number and date printing mechanism taken substantially on the plane of section line 26-26 of Figure 22;

Figure 27 is a view showing the tape after being processed by the present machine, and

Figure 28 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing the roller unit swung away from the pressure roller.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein for the purpose of illustration, there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the numeral 10' represents the tape printing machine generally, comprising a printing roller unit 12, an operating mechanism 14 for the roller unit, an indicating mechanism 16 for the roller unit, a carriage 18 having a means for printing dates and locker numbers on a tape, and a cutter mechanism 20. Each of these various component parts of the printing machine will now be described in detail.

Printing roller unit The printing roller unit or gang of rollers 12, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, is composed of two circular plates 22 and 24 each of which is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures that rotatably receive the ends of shaft 26 supporting a plurality of spaced parallel, circumferentially spaced printing rollers 28.

Resilient printing devices in the form of bands 30 yield ingly embrace the rollers 28 and have raised indicia there on for printing various types or choices of meat, fowl or cheese, in a manner later to be more fully described.

A central horizontal shaft 32, shown in Figure 5, extends through and is held against rotation in central openings in the plates 22 and 24, and the ends of the shaft 32 are rotatably supported in the lower eye ends of a pair of vertically swingable hanger arms 34 and 36 (see Figures 2 and 6). The upper reinforced eye ends of the hanger arms 34 and 36 are swingably mounted on an upper horizontal shaft or rod 38 whose reduced ends are positioned in apertures in a pair of spaced parallel vertical walls 40 and 42 that are detachably secured to the bottom wall of a casing 78.

A collar 44 is held on one end of each shaft 26 by a set screw as shown best in Figure 12. Each collar 44 is formed with a groove 46 and the grooves 46 will receive spring urged plungers 48 carried by the plate 24. The

collars are so proportioned to the rollers that the plunger 1 48 will enter the groove 46 of the collar belonging to Operating mechanism for the roller unit The operating mechanism 14 for the roller unit is illustrated best in Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11 of the drawings. This mechanism consists of a sprocket 50 fixed on one end of the shaft 38 that is connected to a sprocket 52 on one end of the shaft 32 by an endless sprocket chain 54.

The end of the shaft 32 that extends through the wall 40 slidably supports a hand gripping knob 56 having a circular flange 58 at its inner end that carries a pin 60 for selectively entering one of a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures 62 in the lower eye end of the hanger arm 34 to lock the shaft 32 against rotation.

The wall 40 is formed with a key shaped horizontal slot 64 whose smaller end is sufiiciently large to accommodate the central portion of the knob 56 and whose larger end is sufficiently large to accommodate the flange 4 102 that meshes with the large gear 86. The right end -of each-roller shaft 26'supports a gear 104 and these gears, 104, will selectively engage the gear 100, as shown in Figure 3, to permit rotation of the roller 28 that is disposed in printing position as the shaft 80 is rotated by a handle 106 attached to the end of shaft 80 that projects outwardly from one side wall of the casing 78.

A spring 108 connects the disk 88 to the wall 42 and will return the disk 88 to its normal position after it has been partially rotated by the handle 106.

After the roller unit 12 has been rotated to bring a selected roller 28 into position for printing, the handle 106 is pulled forwardly and downwardly and the gear connection between shaft 80 and the gear 104 of the selected roller will cause the selected roller to rotate. When the handle 106 is released, the spring 108 will return the disk 88 and handle 106 to their initial position with the pawl 90 passing over the ratchet 94 to prevent back rotation of the selected roller 28.

58 during adjusting of the shaft 32 when the pin 60 is retracted from the arm 34.

In order to rotate the shaft 32 to bring a selected one of the rollers 28 into printing position, the knob 56 is pulled outwardly and moved laterally, as shown in Figures 8 and 10, so that pin 60 is spaced from arm 34 with the flange 58 disposed in the larger end of slot 64. Then, the shaft 32 may be rotated a predetermined amount to bring a selected roller into position for printing.

After the desired roller 28 has been moved to a printing position the knob 56 is urged inwardly and then laterally to move the pin 60 into the one of the apertures 62 in registry therewith and the central portion of knob 56 into the smaller end of the slot 64, as shown in Figures 7 and 9.

Means is provided, and shown in Figure 6, for limiting swinging movement of the shaft 32 and arms 34 and 36. This means comprises angle brackets 66 secured to the walls 40 and 42 and which are provided with internally threaded horizontal apertures that receivably engage bolts 68 that will be engaged by the arms 34 and 36 after the shaft 32 has been rotated and after the knob 56 has been moved into its position shown in Figures 7 and 9, with the roller unit 12 in its printing position.

A bumper 110 on the casing 78 limits downward swinging movement of the lever or handle 106 and a stop 112 on the casing 78 limits upward swinging movement of the handle 106, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Carriage The carriage 18 is illustrated best in Figures 2, 4, 5 and 20 with its date and locker number printing mechanism shown in Figures 21, 22, 23, 24 and 26.

A horizontal feed screw 114 is rotatably supported on the walls 40 and 42, and its left end projects outwardly from the casing 78 and carries a crank handle 116 whereby the screw may be rotated. The carriage 18 includes a bearing 118 in which the screw 114 is rotatably mounted and a pin 120 extends transversely through the bearing A spring 70, see Figure 3, acts on the arm 36 and urges the roller unit 12 forwardly to its position for printing.

Indicating mechanism The indicating mechanism 16 for the roller unit is shown in Figures 2 to 5 and comprises a cylinder 72 that is mounted on the shaft 38 for rotation therewith. An indicia bearing sheet 74 is suitably held about the cylinder 72. The sheet 74, as shown in Figure 15, is provided with eight longitudinal rows of indicia correlated with the indicia of the bands 30 on the eight rollers Means for selectively rotating the printing rollers Means is provided whereby the printing rollers 28 may be selectively rotated. This means comprises a short horizontal shaft that is rotatably supported by wall 42 and a bracket 82 whose offset portion 84 is attached to the inner face of wall 42, as shown in Figure 4.

A large gear 86 is rotatably supported on the shaft 80 between wall 42 and bracket 82. A disk 88 is centrally fixed on the shaft 80 between the wall 42 and the bracket 82 and carries a pawl 90 that is urged by a spring 92, on the disk 88, against a ratchet 94. The ratchet 94 is fixed on the gear 86 and is free to rotate on the shaft 80 as shown in Figures 17 and 18.

The ends of a horizontal shaft 96 are rotatably supported by the wall 40 and the bracket 82. A pair of gears 98 and 100 are mounted on one end of the shaft 96 and are separated by the bracket 82, as shown in Figures 2 and 4. The gear 98 meshes with a pinion and enters the spiral groove in screw 114 to permit longitudinal movement of the carriage on the screw, as shown best in Figures 5 and 20.

A second bearing 122 forms part of the carriage and slidably receives a horizontal rod 124 terminally attached to the walls 40 and 42. The shaft 96 extends through the side walls of the carriage 118 and is formed with a longitudinal groove, see Figure 20, that forms a keyway for a sprocket 126 slidable but non-rotatable on the shaft 96.

A water receptacle 128 is supported on the carriage and rotatably supports a shaft 130 on which a water spreading roller 132 is mounted, as best illustrated in Figures 5 and 20 for moistening adhesive applied to one face of the tape to be printed, as will hereinafter appear. The shaft 130 carries a sprocket 134 that is connected to sprocket 126 by a chain 136 so that the roller 132 will rotate as the shaft 96 rotates, it being here noted that the shaft 96 is rotated by the handle 106 during rotation of the selected printing roller 28.

The spaced side walls of the carriage support an inking roller supporting shaft 138, see Figure 20, one end of which carries a gear 140 that meshes with a gear 142 on the supporting shaft 144 of an auxiliary printing mechanism 146. The shaft 144 is rotatably supported by the side walls of the carriage and the gear 142 meshes with a gear 148 slidable on the shaft 96.

Mechanism 146, as shown in Figures 22, 23, 24 and 26 consists of a pair of arcuate plates 150 and 152, that are connected together by an arm 154. A U-shaped member 156 is secured to the arm 154 and its legs support groups of rollers 158 and 160 about which endless resilient printing bands 161 are trained. These bands are also trained over the arcuate plates 150 and 152. The rollers of each group are mounted for independent rotation and the bands on the group of rollers 158 are provided with numbers so that a locker number may be printed on a tape, whereas certain of the bands on the group of rollers 160 are provided with numbers and certain are provided with indicia for printing the months roller 190, since they are both mounted upon parallel shafts which are supported by the side walls ofthe carriage. 'lhe printing mechanism 146 therefore travels with the carriage and the pressure roller axially of the printing rollers 28 to positions inregistry with the selected printing band 30, irrespective of which printing roller 2.5 is in printing position. Thus, a number of the printed sections of the tape may have the same date and locker number thereon, while bearing printed designations from a number of bands 30 on a number of rollers 28 A pointer 162 is carried by the carriage and will transverse the sheet 74 on cylinder 72 to register with a selected indicia on the sheet 74 and this pointer is visible through the window opening 76, as shown in Figure 1.

As shown in Figure 15, the sheet; 74 on cylinder 72 is provided with longitudinally spaced sets of indicia corresponding to the indicia on the longitudinally or axially spaced printing devices on bands 30 of the printing rollers 28. Since there are eight printing rollers, there are eight sets of indicia arranged circumferentially around the cylinder 72, as indicated by the numerals in Figure 15. Inasmuch as there is a series of indicia arranged lengthwise of roller 72 to correspond to the bands 30 of each printing roller, and rotation of cylinder 72 occurs when the printing roller unit is revolved to place a selected roller in printing position, movement of the carriage will move the pointer 162 to indicate on the cylinder 72 the material to be printed by the roller 28.

The shaft 138 supports an absorbent roller 164 and the shaft 144 supports an absorbent disk 166 that engages the roller 164, see Figures 4 and 5.

A receptacle 168 is supported between the side walls of the carriage, see Figure 5, and has an ink applying roller 176 mounted for rotation therein. The upper periphery of the roller 171) engages the lower periphery of an inking roller 172 mounted on a'shaft 174 carried by the side walls of the carriage 18. One end of the shaft 1174 supports a gear 176 that is engaged with the gear on shaft 96 by a pinion 178, see Figure 20. A guide roller 180 is mounted for rotation on the side walls of the carriage and its supporting shaft carries a gear 182 that engages gear 178. A second idler guide roller 184 is rotatably supported on the side walls of the carriageabove the guide roller 180.

A guide 186, see Figure 5, is mounted on the carriage and its upper end is formed with two upwardly curved guide fingers 188, see Figure 21, thatare spaced apart and which extend about a pressure roller 190' rotatably supported between the side walls of the carriage. The guide 186 is formed with openings to accommodate the guide rollers 180 and 184, as shown in Figure 5. A finger 192, secured to thecarriage, overlies the roller 190 between the fingers 188 for urging tape against the roller 190. g I

The axial bore of the roller 190 is formed with a key that is slidably received in a longitudinal key slot in the shaft 96. Pressure roller 190 moves with the carriage, and is arranged to register with the selected band 30 on the printing roller in printing position, as determined by the setting of the pointer 152.

Cutter mechanism A cutter mechanism is provided for cutting the tape after the same has been printed. This cutter mechanism is mounted on the carriage adjacent the pressure roller 190 between the latter and the moistening roller 132, and comprises a stationary blade 194, see Figure 15-, mounted on a block 196 secured to the forward wall of the carriage and disposed parallel to the shaft 96. A vertically swingable cutter 198 is pivoted to the block 196 and a spring 199 adjustably securing the cutter 198 to the carriage urges the cutter 198 away from the cutter 194.

A horizontal spring tensioned shaft 200 is rotatably supported on the walls 40 and 42,; and one end of the shaft 200 projects outwardly from the casing 78 and supports a hand grip 202 whose upward movement is limited by an adjustable stop 204 on one side wall of the casing 78, as shown in Figures 1 and 4.

An arm 286 is keyed on the spring tensioned shaft 200 for sliding movement with the carriage and underlies the cutter 198, as shown in Figure 25. When the grip 202 is forced downwardly, the arm 206' will ride against the cutter 198 to force the latter toward the cutter 194 in order to cut the tape extending between the two cutters.

6 Tape guide means Means is provided for guiding tape from a dispensing roll 208 of tape 210 detachably secured to the bottom Wall of the casing 78. This means comprises a vertical roller 212 on the side wall 40 and a bracket 214 on the bottom wall of the casing 78 that carries a vertical roller 216 5and a vertically inclined roller 218, see Figures 2 and The tape 210 extends from the roll 208 about the roller 212', behind the roller 216, under the roller 218 and upwardly through the guide 186 supported by the carriage. The tape extends between the printing roller 28 in printing position, as indicated in Figure 5, and pressure roller 190. Upon operation of handle 106 to rotate roller 28, the tape 210, which is held between the rotatable pressure roller and the printing roller, is advanced, and is again advanced with each subsequent rotation of the roller 28. The tape then extends under the fingers 188 and 192, transversely between the cutters 194 and 198, over the roller 132 and outwardly through the tape opening 220 in the removable forward wall of the casing 78. Between the supply roll- 208 and the carriage the tape is sufficiently loose that the carriage may be moved from one place to another in the casing without interference with the tape feed.

Operation In practical use of the present invention, the rollers 158 and 160 are manually rotated so that the bands 162 will print a locker number and date on the tape 210. The knob 56 is pulled outwardly and swung rearwardly to the position shown in Figure 10 and then the knob 56 is rotated to bring a selected one of the rollers 28 into printing position.

Next the knob 56 is forced inwardly until pin 60 enters one of the apertures 62 to lock the shaft 32 against rotation and the gear 104 on the selected roller 28 meshed with the gear 98. I

Crank handle 116 is then rotated to move carriage 18 until pointer 162 registers with a selected indicia on the sheet 74 which corresponds to the indicia on a selected band 30 on the selected roller 28.

Handle 106 is' next lowered to rotate the selected roller 28 and the rollers 132, 164, 166, 172, and 190 to feed tape through the opening 220. The band on the roller 28 in the printing position, see Figure 5, will press against the tape over the roller 190 and the bands on the rollers 158, 160 will press against the tape also on the roller 1% to record the type article, a locker number and date.

Then, the hand grip 202' is lowered to rotate the shaft 200 and cause at raising of cutter 193 to cut the tape 210. The roller 132 will apply moisture to the adhesive on one face of the tape 210.

A spring urged plunger 222 carried by a bracket 224 on the bottom wall of the casing 78 and will selectively engage peripheral notches 226 in the plate 24 to yieldingly retain the roller unit in a selected rotated position.

Each time the handle 116 is rotated 360 a spring urged dog 228, on the housing 78, will enter a recess 230 in the crank handle, as shown in Figure 16, to retain the carriage 18 adjusted properly on the screw 114.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. In a machine of the class described, a casing, supporting means movably mounted inthe casing, a printing roller unit comprising a plurality of annularly arranged printing rollers having axially spaced printing devices thereon mounted on said supporting meansfor movement therewith inthe casing, a carriage mounted in the casing for movement therein axially of the printing rollers, a pressure roller mounted on the carriage and movable therewith to positions in registry with selected of said printing devices, means mounted in the casing operatively connected to the roller unit for revolving the unit about a central axis to' place a selected roller ina printing position and including means for bodily moving the roller unit to and from a position with the selected printing roller in operative engagement with said pressure roller, tapesupply means in the casing for supplying tape to be received between the pressure roller and the' printingv roller, and means carried by the casing' and operatively connectable to the selected print ing roller upon movement thereof into engagement withgamer '7 the pressure roller for rotating the printing roller to print upon and advance the tape.

2. The invention set forth in claim 1, wherein tape guide means is mounted on the carriage for directing tape from the supply means between the pressure roller and the selected printing roller.

3. The invention set forth in claim 1, wherein an inking roller is mounted on the carriage and operatively engageable with the selected printing roller upon movement of th?1 latter into operative engagement with the pressure ro er.

4. The invention set forth in claim 1, wherein a discharge outlet is provided in the casing to which the tape is delivered after it has been printed upon, wherein tape cutting mechanism is mounted on the carriage adjacent the pressure roller in the path of the tape after it has been printed upon and advanced by the rotation of the printing roller, and wherein operating means mounted on the casing is operatively connected to said cutting mechanism for severing the tape.

5. A machine of the class described comprising a casing, a pair of vertically swingable hanger arms mounted in the casing, a shaft rotatably supported by the arms, a pair of spaced disks centrally fixed on said shaft, a plurality of spaced parallel printing rollers terminally rotatably supported on the disks and parallelling the shaft, a pressure roller mounted in the casing and held parallel to said printing rollers, longitudinally spaced indicia bearing bands surrounding each printing roller, said pressure roller being movable longitudinally of the printing roller to a position in registry with a selected one of said bands, means for rotating said printing rollers as a unit about a central axis to place a selected roller in printing position with respect to the pressure roller, including means for swinging said arms toward and away from the pressure roller to move the selected printing roller into and out of engagement with the pressure roller, and means operatively connected to the printing roller that is disposed in printing position for rotating the latter, each of said printing rollers having means thereon cooperative with said rotating means upon movement of {he selected roller into printing position to rotate the atter.

6. The combination of claim 5, wherein said rotating means includes a manually rotatable gear, a gear carried by each printing roller, said first-named gear being selectively engaged with the gears of said printing rollers when the arms are moved toward the pressure roller.

7. The combination of claim 5 and means forming a connection between said shaft rotating means and one of said arms for locking the shaft against rotation and in a selected rotated position.

8. The combination of claim 7, wherein said locking means comprises a knob slidable on said shaft, a pin carried by the knob, said one arm having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures arranged about the shaft for selectively receiving the pin.

9. The combination of claim 5, wherein said shaft rotating means includes a knob slidably and non-rotatably mounted on said shaft, and means engaging the knob to selectively hold the arms toward and away from the pressure roller.

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein said knob engaging means includes a wall having a horizontal key slot including a small end and a large end, said knob including a flange adapted to enter said large end when the arms are disposed away from the pressure roller, said knob being disposed in the small end of said slot when the arms are moved toward the pressure roller.

11. A machine of the class described comprising a casing, tape supply means mounted in the casing, a rotatable printing roller mounted in the casing having a plurality of axially spaced printing devices thereon to engage and print upon the tape, a carriage mounted in the casing for movement the rein axially of the printing roller, a pressure roller mounted on the carriage and movable therewith to positions in registry with selected of said printing devices, means operatively connected to the printing roller for bodily moving the latter in the casing to and from a printing position in operative engagement with said pressure roller and said tape, said printing roller being adapted to advance the tape upon rotation thereof, drive means associated with the printing roller, and drive means carried by the casing and operatively connectable to saidprinting roller drive means to rotate the printing roller up'on movement there'- 'tatable auxiliary printing mechanism is mounted on the carriage in association with the pressure roller and the printing roller in a position to engage and print upon thtlel tape advanced thereto by the rotation of the printing ro er.

13. The invention set forth in claim 12 wherein an operating connection is provided between the printing roller rotating means and the auxiliary printing mechanisin to rotate the latter during rotation of the printing ro er.

14. The invention set forth in claim 11, wherein tape guiding means is provided and supported by the carriage to receive tape from said supply means and direct it between said printing and pressure rollers.

15. The invention set forth in claim 11, wherein an ink-supply roller is mounted on the carriage and is operatively engageable with the printing roller to supply ink thereto for printing upon the tape between the printing and pressure rollers.

16. A machine of the class described comprising a casing, supporting means movably mounted in the easing. a group of individually rotatable printing rollers mounted as a unit on the supporting means for movement therewith, said rollers being annularly arranged with respect to said supporting means and having axially spaced printing devices thereon, a carriage mounted in the casing for sliding movement axially of the printing rollers, a pressure roller mounted on the carriage and mo able therewith to positions in registry with selected of said printing devices, means carried by the casing operatively connected to the group of rollers for moving a selected printing roller to and from a printing position in operative engagement with the pressure roller, tape supply means, guide means mounted on the carriage for directing tape from the supply means between the printing roller and the pressure roller, and roller drive means carried by the casing and operatively connectable to the selected printing roller upon movement thereof to its printing position for rotating the latter to print upon and advance the tape.

17. The invention set forth in claim 16, wherein the group of printing rollers is rotatable about a central axis, and means is provided on the casing and operatively connected to the group of rollers for rotation thereof to place a selected roller in printing position.

18. The invention set forth in claim 17, wherein the group of rollers is suspended from a pair of spaced supporting arms pivotally mounted at their upper ends in the casing and means are provided on the casing and incorporated in the means for rotating the group of rollers for moving them bodily as a unit to place the selected printing roller in operative engagement with the pressure roller and the tape.

19. The invention set forth in claim 16, wherein an indicating mechanism is mounted in the casing comprising an indicia-carrying member extending parallel to the printing rollers and having spaced indicia thereon corresponding to the printing devices on the printing rollers, and a pointer is mounted on the carriage and movable :iherewith to positions in registry with the selected printing evice.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 121,602 Fayman Dec. 5, 1871 651,397 Studebaker June 12, 1900 1,075,822 Gregory Oct. 14, 1913 1,115,646 Wronker Nov. 3, 1914 1,208,642 Pitney Dec. 12, 1916 1,738,372 Komusin Dec. 3, 1929 1,838,584 Smith Dec. 29, 1933 2,080,056 Miller May 11, 1937 2,210,021 Breitling Aug. 6, 1940 2,250,534 Higgins July 29, 1941 2,343,721 Van Tuyl Mar. 7, 1944 2,519,008 Weimont Aug. 15, 1950 

